Core needle biopsy scheduled

[lumpy38]

I am scheduled for the ultrasound guided core needle biopsy a week from today.  Was told I had to be off ibuprofen for ten days prior.  The breast surgeon wants to biopsy two spots in my left breast.  The biggest most obvious one she is less concerned about but still wants to check it closer because it's growth has been so rapid.  The smaller one is about the size of a thumbnail and is near my chest wall.  She said it is more suspicious because there wasn't any view of it in earlier films.  I want to believe everything will be okay, but I am really feeling anxious and wish this could be over with sooner.  Not taking ibuprofen for the breast discomfort is a real bummer.  And, my internist just told me this week that she used to like the breast surgeon I'm working with but does not any longer.  I'm thinking I will let this breast surgeon do the procedure and if additional intervention is required then I can follow up for a second opinion with the name of the other breast surgeon she told me about?  I just want to start feeling better.  I'm completely drained and feel physically ill if I do a few hours of work...not sure if the emotional stress is a contributor?

[lumpy38]

Thanks japdip!  You're wonderfully reassuring at a time when that means so much!

[japdip]

There is absolutely NO way that a surgeon can tell if he/she is obtaining clean margins at the time of surgery. This has to be determined by examination of the tissue by the Pathologist. You can't "see" cancer so microscopic examination is the only way to determine if all cancer cells have been removed within the tissue. By the way, margins are only a factor when a lumpectomy is done ... not a biopsy!   Sounds like there's something personal going on with those two Docs .. and it doesn't have anything to do with "margins" (just my opinion).  Take care, things will go OK .. stay strong.

[lumpy38]

Thank you for your comments.  My internist told me that this surgeon missed some margins with a few of her other patients which is why she is not as supportive of her as she used to be.  I appreciate her being so candid with me.  I'm thinking the surgeon will be certain to get things right with me knowing they have had some conflict with other patients?  Thank you for your well wishes.  I am anxious to have this behind me.  The surgeon said it will only take 2-3 business days to have results for me following the biopsy, so in the big picture I don't have much longer to worry about this.  I'll be certain to provide an update when I learn more.

[japdip]

I can certainly understand how anxious you are to get this done. I'm not sure I agree with that statement your Internist made about the Surgeon .... that isn't something that should ever be said to a pt. I would ask her "WHY" ... and if I were you I would base my confidence on my experience with the Surgeon and not someone else's opinion. Giving up the Ibuprofen is a hard thing but it is important because of bleeding. Don't be suprised if you are told not to take it for a few days after the biopsy also. If the pain is really a major factor you might ask for something that would be acceptable to take in the meantime. Wishing you a speedy conclusion to this issue ...... Take care.